Chapter 37 - Flirting Glances
"Have you forgotten that I can see you?"
She pointed to her eyes, and then laughingly gazed at Pei Xuan.
Eighteen-year-old Pei Xuan, without the deliberate trials of being an emperor in his past life, might be somewhat mature for his age, but he was still a young man newlywed. Upon hearing this, his fair face turned beet red in an instant. Adorable and inexplicably captivating.
Cui Ti watched silently, shyly untying the sash around her waist.
As her dress fell, it was as if a large flower had dropped, leaving the 'ostrich burying its head in the sand'--- young Pei, dumbstruck.
Her slender legs, a waist that could hardly be grasped, a graceful figure, her chest slightly protruding, collarbones straight and prominent. As she removed her hairpin, her long black hair cascaded down her back. Cui Ti, still in her undergarments, sneaked a quick glance at him, too embarrassed to undress completely: "Will you help me in?"
This scene, had it been due to her being blind and accidentally falling next to the bathtub, would have been incredibly awkward.
She was a bit shy, not allowing such a situation to occur.
Pei Xuan snapped out of his daze, his face still flushed. He eagerly assisted her into the half-person tall bathtub.
The bathtub was spacious, and before long, the warmth made a thin layer of tiny sweat beads form on Cui Ti's forehead.
She sat in there with reserve, posture upright, her back straight. The curve of her smooth shoulders caught the corner of Pei Xuan's eye, causing him to swallow hard.
Before meeting Cui Ti, she truly hadn't realized the allure of beauty.
But now that she had, escape was impossible.
The feeling was quite fascinating.
Pei Xuan herself was a rare beauty. Dressed as a man, she was dashing and elegant. In women's clothing, she was breathtakingly stunning. Realizing the comical confusion she had caused, she chuckled and innocently asked, "You can really see me, huh?"
"..."
Seeing her dazed and unresponsive, Cui Ti's heart swelled with joy.
In their past life, after marrying Pei Xuan, she had grown accustomed to her calm and collected demeanor, masterfully strategizing. Therefore, the present Pei Xuan was even more precious to her. Cui Ti didn't mind sharing the bath with her, for she already belonged to her.
Nevertheless, Cui Ti was still nervous, her lips curling into a smile, "Aren't you coming in?"
Her slightly arrogant tone was so endearing that all one would want to do is indulge her, join in her madness and her fun.
Pei Xuan, trembling, removed her clothes, leaving herself utterly exposed. Cui Ti's gaze made her ears feel like they were burning, and she suddenly turned her face away with a yelp.
The atmosphere is too ambiguous.
Even the rising mist seemed to redden their faces.
Both embraced silently.
Their kiss was deep and lingering, and when they finally parted, Pei Xuan, as if emerging from a wild reverie, exclaimed in astonishment, "You can see me, but what about these water droplets? Can you see them?"
Warm water flowed between her fingers, and Cui Ti's voice, soft and slightly hoarse with emotion, whispered, "I can see them."
"And this bathtub?"
Pei Xuan tapped the rim, her excitement evident.
Seeing her happiness, Cui Ti couldn't help but pull her close, her arms gently encircling Pei Xuan's neck, "When you're with me, I can see. When you're not, I'm blind."
"Then I'll be with you forever."
Now she was willing to pour out all her love and affection.
The pinkish garment, soaked with water, clung to her skin. Pei Xuan slowly released her, wanting to see again that endearing form. "Shall I help you out of it?"
Cui Ti nodded, allowing her arms to slip under her.
The wet garment was placed in a bamboo basket nearby. In the dimly lit room, Pei Xuan's eyes widened in wonder. Cui Ti watched her intently, finding her intriguing. They both shared the same features, just in different proportions. Yet Pei Xuan's gaze made it seem like she had won a prize.
Cui Ti loved this inexperienced version of Pei Xuan.
She also loved being cherished by her.
"You can see me! That's wonderful. Which deity is responsible? I need to thank her."
Cui Ti chuckled at her naivety, "You make it sound like a challenge for me. If I knew a deity's name, wouldn't that mean I'm ascended too?"
She tenderly caressed the nape of Pei Xuan's neck with her fingertips, causing Pei Xuan to arch her back involuntarily, emphasizing a deep blush.
Pei Xuan, who from a young age was accustomed to the arts and literature, had skillful hands. She merely smiled without a word, savoring the intimate moments with her wife. Cui Ti, teased by her, felt a mix of desire to reciprocate and a need to escape. Eventually, she rested on Pei Xuan's shoulder, catching her breath, a hint of blush tinting the corner of her eyes.
It's hard to remain virtuous, but so easy to be led astray.
For some reason, Pei Xuan sneaked a kiss underwater.
Splashes erupted and then settled. Cui Ti surfaced, gasping for air, with pink petals sticking to her hair and shoulders. She was both laughing and complaining, "Why did you sneak up like that?"
Pei Xuan's eyes sparkled mischievously as she grinned. She was so young. For years, she had only been around young, restless lads, never having been this close with a Miss, let alone sneakily pulling her into a kiss underwater.
She was rather proud of her bold move, even if it earned her a playful reprimand from Cui Ti.
The word "childish" had once seemed far removed from the dignified Pei Xuan. But now, in this moment, Cui Ti had witnessed it firsthand.
"Don't you think it was fun, my wife?" Pei Xuan teased.
Cui Ti covered her face, her legs concealed under the water, giving Pei Xuan a playful kick.
The kick was light and playful. Pei Xuan just took it as Cui Ti being coy, "My wife? My wife?"
"Don't call me that again," Cui Ti said, removing her hand from her face. Seeing her small dress still on Pei Xuan, she felt a bit displeased. Looking at herself, seemingly defenseless against Pei Xuan's antics, her voice softened, "Xing Guang..."
In the basket, a garment embroidered with magnolia flowers appeared.
Cui Ti stared wide-eyed at her 'husband', her hand brushing over a certain spot, she murmured sympathetically, "Thankfully, it hasn't been squished to stop growing."
Her hands became more daring, and though there was initial restraint, it didn't last long. Before they knew it, they were fooling around once more.
Thankfully, the bath was sturdy enough to withstand their playful antics.
Half an hour later, Lady Pei's pleas for mercy filled the air. Pei Xuan, in high spirits, chuckled, "Giving up so soon?"
Taking advantage of the situation, she received a teasing, coquettish look from Cui Ti.
The backyard was deserted at night. Bai Tang, Hao Zhong, Rao Liang, and the others had long since retreated. Pei Xuan carried her delicate wife out of the bathing chamber, wrapping her tightly in a large cloak. Embarrassed to her core, Cui Ti buried her face in her husband's chest, her body trembling slightly beneath the cloak.
Their bedroom was close by. Once back in bed, Cui Ti quickly pulled up the quilt, only exposing her adorable head, leaving Pei Xuan utterly speechless.
The two exchanged glances for a while. Eventually, the coy Lady Pei, still clutching the corner of the quilt, invited her husband closer.
"My wife, tell me about that dream again."
Holding her close, Cui Ti leaned into Pei Xuan's warm embrace, momentarily lost in thought. It wasn't just a dream; it was a past life where she had genuinely died once. She wasn't sure where to begin.
A kiss landed on her ear, and the passions they had just sated threatened to rise again.
She quickly focused her thoughts, resisting the allure from behind her. Turning around to face Pei Xuan, she asked, "You really want to know?"
"Yes." Pei Xuan kissed her eyelid. "I want to know how I wronged you in that dream, so I can learn from it and never be foolish again."
With her eyes closed and her heart pounding, Cui Ti wrapped her arms around Pei Xuan's slender waist, "Once, you came home drunk..."
The night was deep and enchanting. The storyteller eventually drifted into a peaceful sleep. Pei Xuan caressed her wife's lovely back, listening to her steady breaths.
In Cui Ti's dream, she was apparently a drunkard too.
Could such coincidences truly exist in the world?
Was it just an eerie dream, or a reality that once occurred?
During the day, she browsed through the vast collection of books in the Hanlin Academy. The legendary tales within weren't necessarily all fabrications.
However, those who harmed Cui Ti never showed themselves. With resolve, Pei Xuan decided to fiercely protect her most precious treasure.
...
"Do you see? From now on, she's your master. When I'm not home, you'll stand in for me and guard her. You can't let her fall into danger."
The young girl in black, with a sword hanging from her waist, cast her eyes towards the young lady in a white dress in the distance. The young lady was beautiful, a perfect match for M'lord. However, she was born with an eye ailment that rendered her blind.
Starting today, she would be the sharpest blade standing between danger and the young lady!
She nodded solemnly, "M'lord, rest assured."
Pei Xuan patted her shoulder, "Xiao Lang, I'm entrusting my 'life' to you now."
The girl named "Xiao Lang" (Little Wolf) had her pupils contract. Not one for many words, she pressed her lips together and replied, "Yes!"
Swearing on the name of the Wolf King, she wouldn't let anyone harm the young lady, not even a single hair!
"With you here, a heavy burden is lifted from my heart."
Xiao Lang stared at him for a moment and then swiftly disappeared into the wind.
She was someone Pei Xuan had saved from deep within a hunting ground four years prior. Perhaps "someone" isn't the right term---she was more of a wolf child. To her, Pei Xuan, who had saved her, shone even brighter than the Wolf King. His commands were iron-clad orders she would fulfill even if it meant death!
Yet, what Pei Xuan hadn't anticipated was that after commanding Xiao Lang to secretly protect Cui Ti, in less than a month, she would give him an unexpected surprise.